Jan 12 2009
James Beattie Signs for Stoke
Sheffield United’s James Beattie has officially signed for Stoke City on a two and a half year deal for a fee which could rise to £3.5 million. The 30 year-old striker has been in good form since signing for Sheffield United in 2007, and an experienced Premier League striker such as James Beattie is just what Stoke City has been in need of this season.
Stoke City has a good defence, but lacks that cutting edge up front; James Beattie could now be the man to change that, and if the club is able to keep him fit then Beattie may provide the difference that will help Stoke City stay up in the top flight of English football this season.
Several Premier League clubs had been rumoured to be keen to secure the striker’s signature, Stoke City is the club to have signed him however, and the club will now be hoping that Beattie can really establish himself at the Britannia Stadium.
With £5.5 million summer signing Dave Kitson having failed to shine at Stoke so far this season; all involved with the club will be hoping that James Beattie is not equally unsuccessful. Beattie has a proven track record at this level though, and although he has for the past 18 months been playing in the Championship; his goal scoring record has been excellent, and he does of course have much Premier League goal scoring experience with both Southampton and Everton.
Beattie should prove to be a good signing for Stoke City, the player is happy to be returning to the Premier League, and will surely show his gratitude by scoring lots of goals for Stoke. James Beattie may not be the biggest name in English football; he’s still a good signing however, and there’s great belief at the club that he’ll be able to find his feet and keep the club in the Premier League this season.
So James Beattie is the latest signing at the Britannia Stadium, and he’ll now be hoping to make an impact at the club when Stoke travel to Chelsea at the weekend. It won’t be an easy first game for the player, but he’ll no doubt want to get his name on the scoresheet nonetheless, and show that Stoke have made the right move in signing him for £3.5 million.
